“Most people think receding gums are an “older” person’s problem, however anyone at any age can be affected by gum recession,” says Dr. Mark McCawley of the McCawley Center For Laser Periodontics and Implants in Ft. Lauderdale. “Receding gums are unattractive and can lead to tooth sensitivity and even eventual tooth loss. Causes include improper tooth brushing, gum disease and in some cases, gum recession may develop after wearing braces. My patient, ‘Fernanda’ who is 30 noticed her gums beginning to recede and I determined her to be an excellent candidate for the Pinhole Surgical Technique®, also known as Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™.

“While a study published by the American Dental Association states that up to 50% of Americans between 18 and 65 will be affected by receding gums, the percentage of patients who actually undergo recommended gum grafting surgery is relatively low,” says Dr. McCawley. “That’s because people perceive gum grafting to be a painful and invasive procedure which requires considerable downtime. Patients love the Pinhole Surgical Technique and they are more likely to accept needed treatment, especially since most patients report little or no pain and usually require no downtime after the procedure. Most of our patients can return to normal activities almost immediately.”

Fernanda’s treatment was filmed by a local TV news crew and took under an hour. “Her receding gums were corrected with no scalpels, no sutures and no conventional gum grafting surgery,” says Dr. McCawley. “Instead, a few small pinholes, about the size of a ballpoint pen tip were made in her gums near the areas of recession. Using a specially designed small dental instrument, Fernanda’s gums were brought down to improve root coverage in a process taking just minutes per tooth. Small strips of collagen were placed to help stabilize the gums, and the procedure was done. The pinholes heal and disappear quickly, often overnight.”

Fernanda, who is a student says that she first noticed that the root of one of her teeth was showing and the gum was continuing to recede. “If I smiled you could really see it,” she says. “I had gum recession on one side and I didn’t like the way it looked. I became more worried as my gum line moved higher. It looks good now, and healed very fast after the Pinhole treatment.”

For more information on the Pinhole Surgical Technique call the McCawley Center For Laser Periodontics and Implants in Fort Lauderdale at 954-522-3228.

Dr. Mark McCawley is a lifelong resident of Fort Lauderdale, attending Harbordale Elementary and Pine Crest School where he was Captain of the cross country team. He graduated Cum Laude from Florida State University. He received his D.M.D. degree from Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine and also a Masters of Science, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study after a three year residency in periodontology and implants from Nova.

Dr. McCawley is trained and certified in the Pinhole Surgical Technique, a minimally invasive treatment for gingival recession. He is also trained in the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure and has two published research studies on LANAP. He has lectured on this research to the American Academy of Dental Research and to the North American Society of Periodontists.

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Dr. Tom McCawley

Dr. Tom McCawley has practiced in Fort Lauderdale for almost 40 years. A graduate of the University of Illinois College Of Dentistry, Dr. McCawley holds a specialty degree in Periodontics from Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. Read more.

Dr. Mark McCawley

Dr. Mark McCawley is a lifelong resident of Fort Lauderdale attending Harbordale Elementary and Pine Crest School where he was Captain of the cross country team. He graduated Cum Laude from Florida State University. Read more.